United News of Bangladesh

Three students of Jagannath University (JnU) have received the Bangabandhu Sports Scholarship. The scholarship recipients are  Islamic Studies 2018-19 session student Tamanna Sultana Sumaiya (table tennis), Modern Language Education Institute Department 2020-21 session student Rachna Tripti (cricket), and History Department 2019-20 session student Nilufa Yasmin (shooting). Read: Russia offers 124 scholarships for Bangladeshi students for 2024-25 academic year  On Tuesday, Education Minister Dipu Moni handed over the cheques to the students at the Martyr Captain Sheikh Kamal auditorium of the National Sports Council as the chief guest. State Minister of Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan was present there. Read: EducationUSA Bangladesh hosts US Education Fair at the EMK Center Bangabandhu Krirasevi Kalyan Foundation, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has introduced Bangabandhu Sports Scholarships for the first time for athletes. A total of 1000 people have been awarded this scholarship from all over Bangladesh.

The US Embassy through its EducationUSA platform, in partnership with EdPrograms, has organised an exclusive US University Fair at the EMK Center’s new destination in the capital’s Gulshan Avenue. Officials and academic councelors from 15 US colleges and universities joined this special education event from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday.  Read: Russia offers 124 scholarships for Bangladeshi students for 2024-25 academic year These institutions are The Chicago School, Pacific Oaks College, DePauw University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, SlipperyRock University, IOWA State University, Virginia Tech, Tandon School of Engineering, Pace University, Montclair State University, GW Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, The University of Arizona, University of South Dakota and The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The event was also joined by the US Embassy and EducationUSA Bangladesh officials, including Brennan Flanigan, Deputy Director of Public Engagement and Stephen F Ibelli, Public Affairs Counselor. “We want to thank all of our participant universities in this fair, some of which are participating for the first time in such event. The United States offers the world-class education with having more than 4,000 accredited colleges and universities; and currently we have more than 10,000 Bangladeshi students studying in the United States,” Brennan Flanigan said at the fair.  Read: First intra-department moot court competition held at Jagannath University  “The US Embassy and the people of the United States are certainly grateful that many Bangladesh undergraduate and graduate students are deciding to pursue their study in the United States,” he added. In addition to getting advice on how to submit their applications appropriately, students got the chance to interact and speak with US university admission officials face-to-face about scholarship prospects and admission standards, alongside other necessary information. “During the quest to find out the most appropriate destination and institution for higher studies, we often suffers with unwanted anxiety and stress,” Hasan, an aspiring PhD student, told UNB. “I think this kind of fairs can guide and assist us to take the right decision.” he added.

The Russian government has allotted 124 scholarships for Bangladeshi students for the 2024–2025 academic year. Pavel Dvoychenkov, director of the Russian House in Dhaka, announced the 124 scholarships for Bangladeshi students in undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD courses for the academic year 2024-2025. Scholarship application deadline for higher education in Russia extended The total number of scholarships for the academic year 2023–24 was 110. At the beginning of the speech, he thanked the students who were interested in pursuing higher education in Russia. He mentioned that the Russian government provides many scholarships to Bangladeshi students every year and conducts all kinds of support programmes, including campaigns through the Russian House in Dhaka. The scholarship application process for the next academic year started on September 1 and will continue until December 15 of this year. Russian National Unity Day marked by embassy in Bangladesh Dvoychenkov also mentioned that the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was completed with the help of the Russian government and was going to be commissioned soon. The project will require a lot of talented manpower in various departments, and there is also a special opportunity to work with graduates of Russian universities, he said. Russian Centre for Open Education begins journey at Dhaka University During the seminar, Alina Andrukh, deputy head of international relations at Moscow Polytechnic University, presented the educational opportunities and facilities of the university online. Dr Taibul Hasan Khan, a Soviet alumni and former professor of history at Jahangirnagar University, and Yasmin Sultana, teacher of the Russian language course at the Russian House in Dhaka, attended the event, among others.

The first intra-department moot court competition was held at Jagannath University's Department of Land Management and Law. The competition was organised by the 'Land Law Club' on Tuesday. A total of eight teams participated in the competition. Also read: Thirty Bangladeshi universities compete in International Humanitarian Law moot The final was held with the best petitioner and the best respondent among the eight teams. Team 'Respondent-4' defeated Team 'Petitioner-1' in the final and became the champion. The judges of the final round were the founding chairman of the Department of Land Management and Law, Associate Professor Christine Richardson, Assistant Professor Ayesha Saleh, Assistant Professor Shakil Ahmed, and Assistant Professor of the Law Department, Md. Mefftahul Hasan. Regarding the competition, Assistant Professor Shakeel Ahmed said that students will improve their skills along with their academic studies through the moot court competition. Also read: Eastern University wins national round of Int'l Moot Court contest “This competition is very important for law students. I hope our students will do well in external competition as well,” he said. Director of Land Law Club Assistant Professor Rafea Khatun called Moot court a shadow court where the atmosphere of a real court is created. “Such competitions will enhance the practical knowledge of our students. This will also enhance their research skills and help develop advocacy skills,” he said. It is to be noted that moot court, or mooting, is a competition for law students. In a hypothetical case, students are divided into two groups, the petitioner and the respondent and present arguments against each other. In this imaginary court, there are multiple judges in the seat of the learned judge.

Daffodil International University has announced the suspension of academic activities for 11 days following rounds of clashes between students and locals in Savar. The university authority announced the suspension till November 16 in a statement on Monday morning, In the previous statement, it was stated that classes would be conducted online. However, this time, the university administration has suspended academic activities for 11 days. The notification further mentions that the resumption of academic activities will be announced later through another statement. Read: 20 injured as Daffodil University students clash with locals in Savar At least 20 people were injured after clashes erupted between Daffodil International University students and locals in Savar’s Ashulia Union on Sunday. A tense situation is prevailing in the area following the incident. Locals claimed that Hasibul Hasan Antar, a student of Daffodil International University, was killed by another student Rahat and his men a few days ago. But students of Daffodil International University vandalised and looted more than 150 shops in Akran Bazar area of Birulia in Savar on Friday night demanding arrest of the killers. Later, local people of Changaon area of Ashulia held a discussion for the safety of life and property Sunday afternoon. Read: 48-hr countrywide blockade: Violence, arson attack, clashes marks 1st day blockade But in the night, the students vandalised more than 200 shops and houses in Changao area with sticks and sharp weapons hearing the news of the meeting, leaving at least 20 people injured. Deepak Chandra Saha, officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station, said the situation is calm at present.

Some arsonists on Sunday tried to set fire to one of Dhaka University's student carrier BRTC buses in the capital on the first day of a 48-hour countrywide blockade enforced by the BNP and like-minded opposition parties. The incident took place in the capital's Mirpur area around 4 pm. Maksud Kamal takes charge as 29th VC of Dhaka University However, they failed to set fire to the bus. DU transport manager, Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, said, "As far as I know, some miscreants tried to set fire on one of our Double decker BRTC buses, named Choitali, when it was carrying local passengers, not our students." Bangladeshi nurses practically efficient but face problems abroad due to language barrier: FM Asked about the damages from the fire, he said, "We have hired those buses from BRTC and they mainly take care of those vehicles. However, the fire caused no severe damage to the bus or life, except burning some portions of seats. Passengers on the bus managed to extinguish the fire." DU proctor Prof. Makshudur Rahman, said, "The information floating in the social media is baseless. Some people tried to set fire to a match when the bus was returning from a dawn trip and it was carrying regular passengers. When the passengers noticed it, they extinguished the fire. BRTC will take care of this and it is not related to us." Students must develop other skills alongside education: Mustafa Jabbar "Actually some people are trying to portray a fearful situation by exaggerating the incident so that we postpone regular classes and exams. But it is not expected to be," he added.

The scholarship application deadline for higher education in Russia has been extended until December 15, 2023. The Russian government announced 124 scholarships for Bangladeshi students in Bachelor, Masters and PhD courses for the academic year 2024-2025. The application can be submitted online only at https://education-in-russia.com. However, before applying, all educational qualification certificates and marksheets/ transcripts in original and photocopy must be attested by the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and passports must be valid for more than 18 months from September 2024 onwards. Read: UK extends Ocean Country Partnership Programme Scholarships to Bangladesh After completing the online application, along with the copy of the online application, attested copies of all educational qualification certificates and marksheets, photocopies of the passport, the consent form of the candidate for personal data processing, and one passport-size color photo should be submitted to the Education Department of Russian House in Dhaka. Application submission time at Russian House in Dhaka (Culture Department, Russian Embassy) Education Department is 10 am to 5 pm from Sunday to Thursday. Read more: 124 students get Russian govt's higher education scholarships for 2024-25 In addition, a seminar titled "Opportunities of Higher Education in Russia" will be held at Russian House in Dhaka on Tuesday (November 7) at 4 pm. The seminar is open to all and prior registration is not required. 

Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal took charge as the 29th vice chancellor of Dhaka University on Saturday. He took charge at the VC office of the university at 9:00 am on Saturday. Prof  Maksud Kamal made 29th VC of Dhaka University The outgoing VC, Prof Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, and pro-VC (admin), Prof Dr Muhammad Samad, along with other faculty members of the university, welcomed the new vice chancellor with flowers at the time. Comilla University gets new VC After assuming office in the morning, Maksud along with other teachers and officials of the university, placed a wreath at the memorial of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka. Prof Imdadul made new VC of JnU

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said the nurses of Bangladesh are practically very efficient and skilful, but when they go abroad for higher education or to work in foreign countries, they face problems that act as major barriers for students who want to go abroad. "We have a historical relationship with the UK politically and commercially. Many Bangladeshi-origin people are serving the British economy. Those who are serving the health sectors, are very efficient and practically skillful," he said, while speaking at a seminar titled ‘Higher Education and career prospects of Bangladeshi Nurses in UK’ was held at the auditorium of British Council. To increase the bonding and efficiency of the nurses of Bangladesh, an agreement was signed between the International Nursing college, Bangladesh, and University of Salford, UK. The foreign minister joined the seminar as the chief guest. Nancy Cooke, Director of International Development at the University of Salford delivered a speech, while Prof. Gulshan Ara Biswas, principal of International Nursing College presented the overall situation and scopes of nursing education and profession in Bangladesh. Prof. Gulshan Ara Biswas said, “We are trying to provide the best education to our students. It is expected that we will be able to offer Ph.D. degrees to the Bangladeshi nursing students for the first time in this country. To develop the quality of our education, we have already started a teacher’s training program in our college with the collaboration of international teachers.”  The foreign minister said doctors who obtained their MBBS in Bangladesh are serving with distinction in the ongoing critical situation, which is an acknowledgement of Bangladeshi healthcare education system. “But when our professionals or students go to the UK for education or professional purposes, they suffer from communication problems as British English is different from other English pronunciation. For the nursing students who want to go to the UK, it can be a good option to learn British English from the British Council,” he added. Urging the authorities to develop the quality of nursing education in Bangladesh, he said the quality of health services is directly tied to the quality of nursing. "Good hospital means good nurse services. It is a noble profession. Doctors do the patient's operation but nurses help patients survive.” 

Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar on Thursday said to progress in life students must develop other skills alongside traditional education. “Class education is only a small part of building a career. To progress in life, one must develop other skills along with education. Among them, developing leadership qualities and communication skills are one of them," the minister said while speaking as a chief guest at a symposium titled "Leadership Skills for Smart Bangladesh." UGC-The British Council sign an Operational Alliance Agreement in Dhaka The symposium was held on Thursday at the Dr. Mohammad Habibullah Conference Hall of Dhaka University in an initiative of Actionist Foundation. Dr. Bernd Spanier, charge d’affairs of European Union Delegation to Bangladesh was present at the symposium as a special guest. The event was presided over by Actionist Foundation Founder and Executive Director A.N.M. Fakhrul Amin Farhad. Mohiuddin Bhuiyan and Khadija Akhtar Urmi were responsible for conducting the program. Welcome speech was provided by Raisa Naser, Head of communication of the organisation. UGC, British Council sign deal to enhance quality education Masud Khan, chairman of Unilever Consumer Care Limited said in the discussion, "We are guided by our mind. So our psychology has a lot of influence in our personal and professional life. That is why mental wellbeing is necessary for us. We have to overcome negativity and have a positive mindset." "Along with mental training, our physical training is also important. There is no substitute for physical exercise to stay active," he added. During his speech, Manik Mahmood, head of social innovation at A2I Program said the students are not aware of the huge gap in academic and work life skills. “But at work they face problems (due to lack of work life skills,” he said. EUB holds its first convocation Meanwhile, Star Cineplex Chairperson, Mahboob Rahman said, "We can never ignore the skill issue. Word, PowerPoint, Excel among many skills will be needed in our daily life and we should learn it seriously. Besides this, we must ensure the proper management of social media."